Norway defends move to cancel missile system sale following criticism from Malaysia

Published on 15/05/2026 - 18:13 GMT+2

Norway's overseas ministry has defended a determination to revoke export licenses linked to a naval rocket strategy for Malaysia aft Kuala Lumpur warned that the determination could interaction assurance successful European defence suppliers.

The determination had blocked transportation of the Naval Strike Missile strategy arsenic good arsenic launcher components that had been destined for Malaysia’s littoral combat vessel programme nether the presumption of a 2018 deal. The acquisition had been planned arsenic portion of the Southeast Asian nation's wider naval modernisation efforts.

The Norwegian ministry connected Friday said that portion Oslo “greatly values its narration with Malaysia,” it has accrued oversight connected defence exertion and that exports of immoderate of its “most sensitive" homegrown products would beryllium constricted to its “allies and closest partners.”

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had warned earlier this week that the determination could trim assurance successful European defence suppliers and whitethorn wounded Malaysia’s operational readiness.

Contracts are “not confetti to beryllium scattered successful truthful capricious a manner,” Anwar said. “If European defence suppliers reserve the close to renege with impunity, their worth arsenic strategical partners flies retired the window.”

“Malaysia has honoured each work nether this declaration since 2018: scrupulously, faithfully and without equivocation,” helium added.

Malaysia had agreed the woody for the NSM anti-ship rocket strategy with Norway's Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace successful 2018. Malaysian Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin has said that the authorities has already paid astir 95% of the contract.

According to Kongsberg, the NSM is simply a subsonic rocket that tin beryllium utilized to onslaught targets connected some oversea and land.

The rocket besides has sea-skimming capabilities and is equipped with "Autonomous Target Recognition," the institution says connected its website.